Gardening expert Monty Don has shared his February pruning advice, urging gardeners to trim three key plants now for a better display of summer flowers. In his latest blog, Don emphasises that pruning is essential for removing dead or diseased material and promoting healthy growth, especially during the dormant winter months when infections are less likely to take hold.
Don advises that roses, clematis and buddleia should be pruned in February, particularly for those in southern UK regions. He stresses the importance of using razor-sharp tools for clean cuts that minimise damage to plants. Despite common myths, Don notes that roses are resilient and can tolerate heavy pruning, but recommends a light trim for shrub roses, removing only exceptionally long or damaged branches.
For climbing roses, Don suggests pruning in autumn or winter, maintaining a framework of long stems and removing a third of the oldest wood each year. Rambling roses, which flower once in midsummer, require minimal pruning and should be trimmed after flowering. Late-flowering clematis varieties, such as Clematis jackmanii and Clematis viticella, should be cut back hard to about two feet from the ground, leaving at least two healthy pairs of buds.
Buddleia, or butterfly bush, should be pruned severely now to stimulate new shoots and extra flowers, as it blooms on fresh growth. For plants with ample space, Don recommends cutting back to ground level, retaining only two or three sets of emerging shoots. In borders, pruning to two or three feet from the soil ensures new growth gets enough sunlight and air circulation.
